Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
If you’re looking for a dish that’s cozy, packed with flavor, and just downright fun to eat, you’ve got to try this Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe. I stumbled upon this combo on a chilly evening when I craved something comforting but also a little spicy. It blends tender chunks of chicken, sweet roasted sweet potatoes, and that addictive buffalo sauce kick — all baked into a bubbly, cheesy casserole that’s perfect for family dinners or game day. Stick around, because I’m sharing everything you need to make this fan-freaking-tastic recipe your new go-to!
Why This Recipe Works
- Balanced Flavors: The sweetness of roasted sweet potatoes pairs beautifully with the spicy buffalo sauce to create a harmony of tastes.
- Healthy-ish Comfort Food: Using sweet potatoes and broccoli adds nutrition without sacrificing the cheesy, comforting vibe we all love.
- Layered Texture: Crispy roasted edges on the potatoes, juicy chicken cubes, melted cheese, and crispy turkey bacon make each bite exciting.
- Simple Prep & Baking: The recipe requires just one casserole dish and straightforward steps, making it easy to nail every time.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is in combining wholesome ingredients with bold flavors. Each one plays a role, whether it’s adding moisture, heat, or a nice crunch. When you’re shopping, look for fresh sweet potatoes and good-quality buffalo sauce — it really elevates the dish.
- Boneless chicken breasts: Cubed chicken cooks evenly and soaks up the buffalo sauce perfectly.
- Sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness balances the spicy buffalo sauce, and you can keep the skin on for extra nutrients and texture.
- Broccoli florets: Adds a fresh, green pop of color and nutrients while softening nicely under the heat.
- Buffalo sauce: This is the flavor star — I personally love New Primal, but classic Frank’s RedHot also works great.
- Avocado or olive oil: Helps everything roast up nicely and adds a silky richness.
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder: Essential seasonings to boost every bite.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Melts over the top for that irresistible gooey finish.
- Chopped green onion: Adds a little fresh, sharp bite at the end.
- Cooked turkey bacon: For smoky crunch that complements the spicy and sweet flavors.
- Drizzle of ranch: Optional, but delicious to mellow out heat and add creaminess.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your preference. I like to switch up the vegetables depending on what I have on hand, but you can also adjust the heat level or swap out toppings.
- Variation: I’ve made this with cauliflower instead of broccoli when I wanted something milder—and it worked beautifully!
- Heat Level: Feel free to dial the buffalo sauce up or down depending on how spicy you want it.
- Dietary Mods: Swap turkey bacon for vegetarian bacon or omit it altogether to keep it pescatarian-friendly.
- Cheese Options: Pepper jack or mozzarella also melt well if you want to mix it up.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Roast the Sweet Potatoes
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and greasing a 9×13 casserole dish — don’t skip this, it helps everything release easily later! Cube your sweet potatoes into small pieces (I usually leave the skin on for that little extra texture and nutrients). Toss them with half of the buffalo sauce mixture I mix up from buffalo sauce, oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Spread them evenly in your dish and roast for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through so they color evenly. This step is key for those caramelized edges that make the dish irresistible.
Step 2: Add Chicken and Broccoli with More Buffalo Sauce
While your sweet potatoes are roasting, cube the chicken breasts and cut broccoli into small florets. Toss these veggies and chicken in the remaining buffalo sauce mixture, ensuring everything is coated. Once the sweet potatoes have had their time in the oven, remove the dish and add the chicken and broccoli on top. Return to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (you’re looking for an internal temp of 165°F).
Step 3: Finish with Cheese, Bacon & Green Onions
Pull your casserole out, sprinkle it generously with shredded cheddar cheese, cooked turkey bacon, and chopped green onion. Pop it back in the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese melts, turning everything beautifully gooey. Before plating, let the casserole cool for a few moments, then drizzle any extra toppings like ranch or blue cheese if you’re feeling indulgent.
Tips from My Kitchen
- Perfect Potatoes: Don’t cut the sweet potatoes too large; smaller cubes roast more evenly and get those crispy edges.
- Buffalo Sauce Balance: Mixing the sauce with oil helps distribute the heat evenly and prevents it from getting too dry in the oven.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the casserole rest before serving allows flavors to settle and helps you slice cleaner portions.
- Monitor Chicken Temp: Use a meat thermometer so your chicken is juicy, never dry—165°F is the sweet spot.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Garnishes
I always finish with a handful of fresh chopped green onion for sharpness and a drizzle of ranch dressing to mellow the heat. Sometimes I add crumbled blue cheese if I’m feeling fancy—it’s a total game-changer! A sprinkle of extra crispy turkey bacon bits keeps things crunchy and smoky.
Side Dishes
This casserole stands strong on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple green salad or some roasted Brussels sprouts for a veggie boost. A creamy coleslaw on the side also balances the spicy notes perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gatherings, I’ve served this casserole in individual ramekins for easy portion control and a cute presentation. Another fun idea is to top it with sliced avocado for a creamy twist or scatter chopped fresh cilantro just before serving for a hint of brightness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It reheats well and the flavors often deepen overnight, making it even better the next day. Just warm it gently to avoid drying out the chicken.
Freezing
If you want to freeze it, let the casserole cool completely first. I wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil before popping in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat at 350°F until warmed through.
Reheating
Microwaving works in a pinch, but my favorite method is reheating in the oven at 350°F. It keeps everything juicy and brings back some of that crispy texture on top. Cover loosely with foil to prevent the cheese from over-browning.
FAQs
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Can I use frozen chicken or vegetables in this casserole?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw frozen chicken and broccoli completely before using. This helps them cook evenly and prevents extra moisture from making the casserole soggy.
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Is it possible to make this casserole dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap out the cheddar cheese for a dairy-free cheese or nutritional yeast, and skip the ranch or use a dairy-free alternative. It still tastes great with those bold buffalo flavors.
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How spicy is this Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe?
The heat level depends on the buffalo sauce you choose and how much you use. I usually find it pleasantly spicy but not overpowering—perfect for most heat lovers. You can always adjust the sauce amount to suit your taste.
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Can I prep this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prep everything up to adding the cheese and bacon, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add the toppings right before baking for the best melted, crispy finish.
Final Thoughts
This Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is one of those rare dishes that feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or when you just want something cozy with a little kick. I hope you’ll give it a try and maybe even make it your own with the variations we talked about. Once you nail the balance of sweet, spicy, and cheesy, I’m confident it’ll earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation, just like it did in mine.
Print
Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
A flavorful Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole combining tender chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and broccoli tossed in spicy buffalo sauce, topped with cheddar cheese, green onions, and turkey bacon for a hearty and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Proteins
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts (about 3 large breasts), cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon, chopped
Vegetables
- 5 medium sweet potatoes, cut into small cubes (skin on or off)
- 2 heads broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1/4 cup chopped green onion
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 cup buffalo sauce (such as New Primal or Franks)
- 1/2 cup avocado oil or olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Extras
- Drizzle of ranch dressing (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the chicken breasts, sweet potatoes, and broccoli into small, bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Mix Buffalo Sauce: In a small bowl, combine buffalo sauce, avocado oil (or olive oil), salt, pepper, and garlic powder, mixing well to create the buffalo sauce mixture.
- Toss Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potato cubes in a large bowl and toss with half of the buffalo sauce mixture until they are well coated.
- Roast Sweet Potatoes: Spread the coated sweet potatoes evenly in the prepared casserole dish and roast in the oven for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Prepare Chicken and Broccoli: While the sweet potatoes roast, add the chicken cubes and broccoli florets to the empty sweet potato bowl and toss them with the remaining buffalo sauce mixture until fully coated.
- Add Chicken and Broccoli: After the initial 30 minutes, remove the casserole dish from the oven and evenly layer the buffalo-coated chicken and broccoli over the roasted sweet potatoes.
- Bake Together: Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add Toppings: Remove the casserole and sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and cooked turkey bacon on top.
- Melt Cheese: Place the casserole back in the oven for 5 more minutes until the cheese has melted completely.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few moments before serving. Add a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese dressing if desired.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Sweet potato skins can be left on to add extra fiber and nutrients.
- Use turkey bacon for a leaner option or substitute with regular bacon if preferred.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by checking the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Adjust buffalo sauce amount to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with additional ranch or blue cheese dressing for a classic buffalo flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
